South Africa assumed the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council (UNSC) on 1 January 2012, with a focus on strengthening relations between the Council and regional organizations [read: the African Union]. South Africa’s assumption of the presidency of the UNSC for the month of January comes at a time when the fallout of the UNSC-sanctioned NATO intervention in Libya has made the search for consensus on addressing major threats to global peace and security very difficult in the Council. Although South Africa voted in favour of the UNSC Resolution 1973 authorizing the imposition of a ‘no-fly zone’ and the adoption of ‘all necessary measures’ to protect Libyan civilians, it was also among the first countries to criticize the manner in which the resolution was implemented. This conduct has once again raised concerns over the soundness of Pretoria’s strategies and tactics in the Security Council, especially with regard to its declared objective of promoting the African Agenda. This roundtable is part of a project supported by the Open Society Foundation for South Africa, which aims to assess South Africa’s 2011-2012 stay in the UN Security Council (UNSC). In particular, the forum will reflect on how South Africa is using its non-permanent seat in the UNSC to promote sustainable peace and security on the continent
Opening Address
Mr. Marius Llewellyn Fransman, Deputy Minister of the South African Department of International Relations & Cooperation
SPEAKER
Mr. Aubrey Matshiqi, Helen Suzman Foundation
Discussants
Dr. David Zounmenou, Institute for Security Studies
Prof. Anthoni van Nieuwkerk, University of the Witwatersrand
Date and Time: Friday, 03 February 2012, 09:30 to 12:30pm
Venue: Kwame Nkrumah Room, 4th Floor UNISA Building, 263 Skinner Street, Pretoria
Registration begins at 09h00 and IGD Publications will be available for sale.
Please join us after the discussion for a light lunch
